President Chen Shui-bian Visits
El Salvador
(Translated by Mike Lee, San Jose)
As Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian began
his goodwill tour through Central and South America, his first
stop was in El Salvador, a strong ally of Taiwan. El Salvador
and Taiwan have both suffered the misery of major earthquakes.
What is astounding is that even the building of new homes
for survivors in both nations has come about through the assistance
of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Walking into Tzu Chi's Great Love Village
Number One, still under construction in El Salvador, President
Chen finally saw for himself the boundless power of Great
Love. As he stood on the site to witness Tzu Chi's care, which
surpasses religion and race, the president commented, "Tzu
Chi's assistance to the Salvadoran people is not limited to
just the physical reconstruction of urban dwellings. Most
importantly, it also encompasses the reconstruction of spiritual
well-being. President Flores [of El Salvador] agrees with
me that Tzu Chi's assistance in this area is even more significant."
Every Great Love house is to be the permanent
new home for a disaster survivor. When they think of the comfort
and safety of their new environment, Salvadoran quake victims
are all willing to endure another few months of tent life.
Said one survivor: "I'm very happy that I'll finally
have a home of my own. My eight children are especially looking
forward to moving into the Great Love house." For a short
instant Taiwan did not seem so far away, because Tzu Chi volunteers
were right by their sides and because the assistance from
Tzu Chi had been the only source of comfort for these victims.
Tzu Volunteer Ko Chi-she stated, "We estimate that the
first phase [of the Tzu Chi Great Love Village] will be completed
around June or July. There really are lots of families who
wish to move in, but we only have a limited number of houses."
In order to keep that promise, construction
work at Great Love Village Number One in El Salvador is going
on day and night. As for Master Cheng Yen, her decision to
cross international boundaries and offer assistance was gratefully
met with the Orden Nacional Jose Matias Delgado en el Grado
de Gran Cruz Placa de Plata given by the government of
El Salvador. This distinction is second only to the Presidential
First Medal of Honor, and it further expresses the high regard
and appreciation of El Salvador toward Tzu Chi.
